How do I care for Allroad roof and vinyl trim?

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Jul 9, 2008 | 05:50 PM

#11

uber_ar

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GREEN$PIT... you have no idea how sarcastic I am... but then again we are tightest knit group on

this site.

Jul 11, 2008 | 12:08 AM

#12

DrMofongo

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Re: Ummm... that's not vinyl... that's called paint my friend. We like to use wax for that.

The trim does not look to me like it's painted. This is because a scratch or gouge in it (ours has a few of these) is the same color. Therefore, it looks like a synthetic polymer (e.g. plastic, vinyl) that has been manufactured with that intrinsic color (this would make sense, since it would make the trim more scratch resistant...or at least the scratches would be less visible). This is different from the trim and bumpers of most cars because those are plastic that has been painted and clearcoated. Waxes are made for paints and clearcoat, and these do not have the same composition as the plastic itself. Therefore using a wax, especially a polymer based one, seems like a bad idea (can we say, "bonded for life"?). I'm not sure about carnauba.

I guess a simple test would be to use a vinyl conditioner on the trim. If it responds, then it is probably "raw" plastic. But I hesitate to do this because it might alter the color. Has anyone else out there used vinyl/plastic conditioner?

Now, the roof *is* painted. But is it safe to polish it?

DrMo

Jul 11, 2008 | 08:26 AM

#13

allroadCole

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The front bumper might be plastic w/o paint, but my car has paint on the rear bumper and fenders.

I know becuase there are scraches on my car, and I can see the paint.

mine is an atlas grey 2001... as far as I know there has never been any body work done.